Anderson Silva called out for retirement fight by UFC legend who plans to fight past age 50

Former UFC title challenger Yoel Romero wants to bow out of combat sports by fighting Anderson Silva.

‘Soldier of God’ said he was close to facing Silva many times during his UFC heyday, but negotiations never materialised.

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Yoel Romero teases Anderson Silva clash

Romero, who turned 49 this month, is headlining Jorge Masvidal‘s Gamebred Bareknuckle MMA show in Miami on Friday.

And he plans to continue fighting for three years before hanging up the gloves for good.

Speaking ahead of his next fight, Romero appeared on The Ariel Helwani Show alongside Masvidal and was asked whether there was anyone he wanted to face before his career was over.

“Anderson Silva,” Romero responded.

“There are many times I’ve wanted to fight Anderson Silva, because I respect him so much.

“Silva was the best, was the GOAT—it was close a couple of times in the UFC, but it never materialised.

“It wouldn’t matter if it’s a win or a loss—just to get in the cage with Anderson Silva.

“This is a fight I would like to retire on. If Anderson wants to do it, I would love to do it.

“I have three years until I retire. I’m on the first year of my Olympic cycle.

“Tune in now or wait forever… I want to retire with my hand held high.

Dirty Boxing

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“The last three years I have competing, I’m going to give it my all and take as many souls as I can.”

Romero then added he would be open to fighting Silva in MMA or boxing, while Masvidal, unsurprisingly, added that the plan is to make it happen in bare-knuckle MMA.

How likely is Romero vs Silva?

While Silva confirmed last month that he was retiring from MMA, having rejected an offer to fight on the Ronda Rousey vs Gina Carano Netflix card in May, not all hope is lost.

‘The Spider’ has said that he will ‘probably have one or two more fights’ exclusively in boxing.

It was only last December that the former UFC champion brutally stopped fellow ex-MMA fighter Tyron Woodley at the age of 50 on the undercard of Jake Paul vs Anthony Joshua.

After his win, Silva started working as a police officer, but has never closed the door to one last dance.

UFC Schedule

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Masvidal, who is expected to make a UFC return and has been linked to welcoming Conor McGregor back to Dana White‘s promotion, will no doubt do whatever it takes to bring the Brazilian to his Gamebred promotion.